Workplace Saftey - Case Study Example

Workplace Safety Task Risk Assessment Risks are issues that threaten the functioning of an organization. Risks could be caused by various things arising from the business environment in which an organization operates. In the banking sector, the operational department is faced by many risks that could arise from failure to observe internal controls in the bank. Assessment of risks in the operational department in a bank involves assessing the various risks including their effects, establishing possible alternative ways of avoiding the risk, making the decision on the best strategy to mitigate the risk and implementing the risk controls adopted by the firm. By the time a bank makes decision on the mitigation measures, the management has accepted the occurrence of the risks and is not trying to reduce the effects on the firm. In one of the banks, the management assessed the risks affecting its operations department by beginning by assessing the issue at hand. This was followed by balancing resources in establishing possible solutions and balancing resources in establishing the solutions. Thereafter, the management communicated the risks and intended intentions by its actions. A debrief that involved taking of action and monitoring responses followed. Task 2: WHS Harmonization a. Objectives of Harmonisation The main objective of the harmonization of the act was to ensure that the entire country has one law that governs work place safety for all employees. In addition, the regulations are to ensure safe working conditions for the entire country and commonwealth countries. The states had to maintain their jurisdiction over because employees work in the states and it would be easier for them to handle workplace safety issues rather than the federal government. b. Features of a WHS act The act is about setting a good working environment regarding health and safety of employees in organizations. The changes that were made to the act were several and were made in different section of the law as outlined below. In section four, a new definition of “engage in conduct” was given as the means of doing an act while the corresponding jurisdiction was provided as “A jurisdiction may extend the operation of a provision that applies to a corresponding WHS law to specified laws of the jurisdiction. This should be dealt with separately in the provision or regulations under the provision” (Safework Australia 2) In section 7, the jurisdiction note was omitted and replaced by anew jurisdiction note that sought to alter section 7(1). In some sections such as sections 8(2), 20(1)a, 22(5), 28(d), 36 and 52(3) among others, articles and prepositions were added to alter the meanings of the constituents of the law. In section 98, merely was replaced by only while clause 110 was omitted and replaced by another clause outlining discriminatory conduct, its proof, avoiding discrimination and jurisdiction over misconduct (Safework Australia 3). c. Implications of WHS act for i) Organizations The implications of the act on organization are that firms should establish a healthy and safe working environment. All working environments in Australia and other commonwealth countries are to comply with the act failure to which they will be sued. The organization is responsible for initiating the necessary changes regarding a safe and healthy working environment for its employees. ii) Managers/supervisors The managements of companies are responsible for implementing the policies stipulated in the act regarding provision of a healthy and safe working environment. The act stipulates what is called a safe and healthy working environment. What is reasonably practicable in relation to duty to ensure safety and health means what is to be done reasonably to ensure health and safety of employees. The managers and supervisors in an organization are to provide the practicable duty of care in any form of business. Proper inspection of premises should be undertaken frequently by the management to ensure that a proper working environment is maintained. iii) Employees Employees are the subjects whose regulations are meant for. The WHS act requires that employees demand to work in a safe and healthy working environment. They should demand their employers to provide the necessary things and implement policies that ensure their safety and health. Failures to meet requirements of the act, employees are to take an initiative of reporting the employer to the relevant authorities for action to be undertaken. Task 3: Outline a) Changes The changes being made in WHS are mainly work related with regards to health and safety of employees at work. The changes range from requirements that an organization needs to provide to ensure safe and healthy working environment to the benefits to employees suffering from insecure working environment b) Implications The implications could be to employees, and the management of the organization. The employees are to ensure that their working environment is safe and that the management provides necessary measures and compensation to injured employees. The management provides the necessary prerequisites for a safe and healthy working environment. Task 4: a). Organizational OHS Australian BlueScope Steel The BlueScope Steel is a company that operates in Australia as steel producer. Its products are sold within Australia and other countries such as New Zealand, Asia Pacific and North America. The company’s values organizational health and safety of its workers. b) Organizational Culture towards OHS According to BlueScope Steel, BlueScope Corporation has well established comprehensive health and safety management system that is applied to all subsidiaries of the company in Australia and globally (BlueScope Steel 2). The organizational environmental safety and health is based on the health, safety, environment and community (HSEC) subcommittee of the board of directors. Due to its policy to establish a good working environment, the company has identified its top rated risks. c) The Role of Manger/supervisor in the OHS system The role of the management/ supervisor of the company is to focus on the risks of the firm that could affect the working environment of the firm. Given that the firm has adopted the new regulations on health and employee safety, the management is responsible for implementing the safety policies in all subsidiaries of the firm. d) How OHS issues are documented and communicated OHS policies in BlueScope Steel are documented in the company’s policies and are communicated to all subsidiaries through hardcopies and soft copies that are sent to the responsible managers of the company. Any changes are communicated through mails, electronically and through hardcopies. In case the employee is not comfortable with the working environment, they can communicate their displeasure to the management either through their supervisors or the feedback system through suggestion boxes and the company’s website (BlueScope Steel 3). e) Effectiveness of the communication process and consultative arrangements The communication process is effective since the grievances of employees are heard and actions taken. For instance, whenever an employee is hurt in the course of duty, they alert the management and they are treated and the necessary compensation provided. In cases of required changes, the management holds consultative forums with employee representatives in order to come up with a favourable solution. f) Frequency of hazard identification and risk/safety audits, fire drills and evacuation procedures BlueScope Steel holds frequent hazard identification in the firm. The frequency varies with the most common being after every six months. Fire drills and evacuation procedures are practices on an annual basis to enlighten employees of evacuation procedures in case of any danger in the working environment. g) OHS training provided to employees BlueScope Steel usually trains its employees on the work safety and health regulations and maintenance of a favourable working environment. The training is usually done to every new employee especially immediately after recruitment. For old employees, the company offers and annual internal training that is conducted concurrently with normal working hours in which the employees are reminded of OHS policies and company policies (BlueScope Steel 5). Recommendations BlueScope Steel operates has policies in place concerning application of OHS procedures for its employees. However, the management of the company is not fast enough in responding to risk and health issues in the firm especially due to the hierarchical nature of its structure. In order to improve the responses, a flatter structure should be adopted. Works Cited BlueScope Steel. BlueScope Steel’s Responses to the National Review into Model Occupational Health and Safety Laws. 2008. Web. 19 Nov. 2011. Safework Australia. Model Work Health and Safety Act revised draft 23 June 2011. 2011. Web. 19 Nov. 2011. Read More